Chemical absorption apparatus.



no vssnos. A PATENTED MAR. 29, 1904.,

- H. G. SGHANGHE.

CHEMICAL ABSORPTION APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED D110. 14. 1903.

H0 MODEL.

m: Mnnms Pznzns on. PHOTO-M7040" WASHINGTON. o, c.

UNITED STATES" Patented March 29, 1904 PATENT OEEIoE.

HERMAN Gr. SOHANOHE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HARRISONBROS. 8: (JO, INCORPORATED, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENN- SYLVANIA, ACORPORATION- OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CHEMICAL ABSORPTION APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 755,705, dated March29, 1904.

Application filed December 14,1903. Serial No. 185,068. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN G. SoHANoHE, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of No. 3401 Grays Ferry road, Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inChemical Absorption Apparatus, whereof the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention is primarily intended for use in connection with thosechemical processes in which a gas or vapor is absorbed by a liquid, asin the manufacture of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, &c.; and its mainpurpose is to increase the degree of concentration directly resultingfrom the absorption process itself,

the method of operation permitting a very slow flow of the absorbingliquid through the apparatus underthe most advantageous conditions forattaining saturation.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I represents a verticallongitudinalsection through an apparatus embodying my invention, and Fig. II is a'horizontal section through the 2 5 same on the line II II in Fig. I. L

The apparatus in its entirety comprises a tower or structure subdividedby horizontal partitions, so as to form a vertically-arranged series ofchambers communicating with one another, as is usual in this type ofdevices. Such structure may, however, be conveniently built up ofsimilar units superimposed upon one another, and this is the embodimentselected for illustration.

In said drawings the tower comprises the group of superimposed units 1 23 4 5, which are similar in construction to one another, so that thedescription of one will suflice for all, the bottom member 6,'however,being different 0 from the others.

The unit 1 consists of an oblong rectangular open vessel, the walls orsides of which have the upper edge flared outwardly, as indicated at 7,to form a seat either for the bottom edge of a similar unit or for acover, which latter is indicated in the present instance at 8, saidcover having a depending flange 9, which fits snugly upon the bottom ofthe recess formed by the flaring. edge 7, a tight joint being secured bymeans of luting 10, and a similar luting 11 being applied at the jointwith the subjacent vessel 2.

At one end of the vessel 1 is an opening 12, extending preferably acrossthe whole width and provided at its inner edge with a vertical wall 13,whose upper edge is arranged at such a height above the bottom of thevessel as is desired for the maintenance of the permanent level ofliquid therein. Adjacent to said wall 13 is a barrier 14 of greatervertical height than the wall itself and having passages 15' extendingthrough it whose lower surfaces are flush with the bottom of the vesselitself. As shown in Fig. I, the series of units having thecharacteristics'just described is arranged with the openings. 12alternately at opposite ends. The base of'the tower is formed by thevessel 6, similar in contour to the others and having its upper edge 16flared outwardly to seat the bottom unit 5. The vessel 6is provided withan inlet-pipe 18 for gas or vapor and a discharge-cock 19 for the liquidcontents, a gage 20 being also a convenient adjunct to eX- hibit thedepth of liquid within the Vessel.

The top 8 is provided with an exit-pipe 21 for spent gas or vapor andwith an inlet-pipe 22, controlled by a valve 23, for the water or otherliquid which is to constitute the absorbing medium.

The operation is as follows: A current of gas or vapor introduced at 18flows successively upward through the series of subdivided compartmentsformed by the several vessels and ultimately passes out at the exitpipe21. A stream of water or other liquid entering at the pipe 22 flows intothe upper vessel 2 and overflowing at the upper edge of the wall 13passes down to the next vessel, and so on through the series, beingultimately received in the bottom vessel 6 after it has completed itstravel through the apparatus. It will be observed that by reason ofthebarrier 14 the liquid which overflows at the upper edge of the wall 13must be that which is drawn from the lowest layer in each vessel, sincethe passages through which alone the liquid can reach the opening 12 areat the extreme bottom portion of the barrier. Thus the liquid whichoverflows from each receptacle into the next subjacent one is thedensest portion of the contents or, in other words, that portion whichis most completely saturated with the gas or vapor. On the other hand,the surface of the liquid in each receptacle which is presented to thegas or vapor is the least highly charged, and therefore the mostsusceptible. It will thus be noted that a very slow flow of liquid canbe maintained throughout the apparatus with the most beneficial results,since the discharge from each receptacle into the next and the ultimatedischarge at the end of the series is limited to that portion of thecontents which in each instance is nearest to saturation. As is usual inthis class of apparatus, the incoming gas or vapor, which is, so tospeak, the strongest, is presented to the most highly-charged liquid andthe nearly spent gas or vapor is presented to the freshest liquid; butto this feature my improvements superadd the further desideratum ofconstantly presenting to the gas-current in all parts of the apparatusthe freshest or most susceptible layers of liquid, thus affording thebest conditions for maximum absorption.

Having thus described my invention, I do not wish to be understood asbroadly claiming the use of a series of compartments havingalternately-arranged openings in apparatus intended for the flow ofliquid to effect absorption, as I am of course aware that suchstructures are old. v

My invention relates to the device whereby the flow of liquid is socontrolled in each compartment as to compel the overflow to be drawnfrom the lowest layer of liquid therein, and while the appropriateembodiment of such a device is in a tower or other structure comprisinga plurality of vessels I desire to claim the individual units embodyingthe peculiar construction stated. In setting forth the preferred form ofdischarge-orifice I have shown it as extending across the whole width ofthe vessel and as provided on but one side by the wall 13 and barrier14. Obvious modifications. may, however, be employed without departingfrom the principle above indicated, it being only necessary that thereshould be an overflow arranged at a suitable level and a barrier sorelated thereto as to prevent access of the upper portion of liquid,while permitting the passage of the lowest layer thereof to the regionof overflow.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In an absorptionapparatus, the combination of aseries of vertically-arrangedcompartments communicating by means of overflow-orifices alternatelyarranged, and means substantially as set forth, whereby the access ofliquid to the respective regions of overflow is restricted to the bottomlayer of liquid in each compartment.

2. In an absorbing apparatus, a vessel having a discharge-opening in itsbottom; a wall adjacent to said opening; and a barrier of greater heightthan said wall arranged in the described relation thereto, said barrierbeing provided with an opening at the level of the bottom of thevessel,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, this 10th day of December, 1903.

HERMAN Gr. SCHANCHE.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR E. PAIGE, JAMES H. BELL.

